Ruck march at Camp Johnson - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Ruck march at Camp Johnson

Hundreds came to walk, run and jog Saturday, to honor those who no longer can.

"It's incredible, its obviously a very difficult thing to do," Steve Cray of the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation said.

The seven mile race honors Vermont's fourteen fallen soldiers and raises money for the national guard charitable foundation and its memorial for the fallen.

"This is the sixth annual run, it started in 2007. This is by far the largest turnout we've ever had for this event," Cray said.
     
More than 400 people registered for the race at Camp Johnson Saturday. As if seven miles wasn't enough, some decided to add a 35 pound pack in what's known as the 'ruck march'. The first place female runner, Amber Van Zuilen says the 'ruck march' was not in the cards for her this Saturday.

"I just ran with myself, which is a lot different than the people who ran with 35 plus pound packs on," she said.

"Its a lot easier doing it here in Vermont than if we were deployed overseas, so keep that in mind while you go," National Guard member Robert Matzelle said.

For him and extra 35 pounds is nothing compared to the weight added to his shoulders more than a decade ago.

"9/11 was a big deal for me, I'm actually from Queens, that's why I joined the army and that's why I'm here now," Matzelle said.
     
"No matter what folks may think about national policy, what we're doing in this country and where we are in the world, there's one thing that's unwavering, that's the support of the airmen and soldiers who have volunteered their service to the nation and the state," Cray said.

He says it's the least they can do to honor those who volunteer to defend our freedom.